MEETING AT THE GREENSTONE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 694, 6 August 1870, Page 2

MEETING AT THE GREENSTONE.

DISAPPROVAL OF THE FINAN CIAL AND TARJFF SCHEMES. MR CARRERAS THREATENS TO PROCEED TO EXTREMITIES. A public meeting was convened at the Victoria Hotel, Greenstone, on Saturday, by Mr Carreras, M.C.C., for the purpose of giving miners and others in the district an opportunity of endorsing the opinions of the County Council regarding the financial scheme of the Colonial Treasurer. Mr Clune, being voted to the chair, said that the meeting had been called for the purpose of allowing the public to take action regarding the manner in which Westland was about to bs> treated by the General Assembly, at Wellington. As far as he (the chairman) could learn from the Press, the authorities in power, finding that Westland only enjoyed the privilege of two vote 3 in the House at Wellington, were endeavoring to deprive her of justice by cuttiug off a lew thousands from the revenue of which Westland was entitled to. Should such take place the County would undoubtealy collapse. No doubt Messrs Fox and Vo«el (who were supporters of Provincialism) were endeavoring to insert the thin end of the wedije, to smash up the County, which was formed during the time that the Opposition were in power. It was, therefore, now left for those present to decide what action to take in the matter to prevent siwh an occurrence; he (the chairman) would no longer detain them, but introduce Mr Carreras, who could give more explicit information on the subject. Mr Carreras, upon rising, said— Tour Chiiirauin has told you the state of the County at present, and the action taken by the hon. Colonial Treasurer in the matter. Mr Vogel,

some years ago, was a nominee candidate fop the squatter, as member for the Provincial Council of Otago ; the miners, however, were too strong then, and he failed in consequence in being returned. Subsequently he proved more successful, and obtained a seat in the Assembly, and since has become Colonial Treasurer. During the latter period in office he (ijr Vogel) has discovered that the provinces have been receiving an unfair share of the revenue, in fact, have been robbed of their rights by the County, which has received over its share ; he, therefore, now proposes a scheme which, if carried into effect, will settle the County system altogether, it is a scheme by which the County is to forfeit everything. Mr Vogel has made some curious calculations of accounts, a copy of which I now hold in my hand, but shall not read them to you. Suffice it to say that the whole is such a complete muddle, that I don't believe any one else either could. The only person who seems to understand Mr Vogel thoroughly ia Mr John Hall, who has obtained a clearer insight in consequence of having once been Colonial Treasurer himself, and therefore well up in all the intrigues of that office. It ia pretty evident, too, from the manner in which that gentleman addressed Mr Vogel, what a complete humbughe considered the whole affair. 1 may say the long and short of Mr VogePs plans have been a method to swamp Westland, and so cunning has he been that, in order to carry them into effect, he has reduced duty in every that affects the squatter, and has made additions to article in daily use by the miner. Mr Carreras then went minutely into figures, proving that the Colonial Treasurer had not only made a gross mistake as regards population and other matters to Westland, but even according to his own (Mr Vogel's) calculation, was robbing the county of her dues. The Couniy Council had determined to cause a census to be taken through out Westland, and that, as Mr Vogel had allowed the sum of £2 5s upon Hie heiid of each individual, he (Mr Carreras) trusted that all present would be careful in placing down their names and those of their children, and remind their friends to do the same. He also drew attention to the misrepresentations that had been made by the Treasurer, iu stating that the County was robbing Nelson of her revenue, whilst daily fleets of vessels were entering Hokitika and Greymouth laden with goods upon which duty had been paid at Nelson. He wished, lastly, to remind them of the steps taken by Mr Vogel himself some four years ago in Otago, when certain dissensions occurred there between the Provincial Council and the General Government " how the Province seized all the revenuv, &c," and said that if the Government persisted in carrying out their contemplated plan after receiving the resolution, he (Mr Carreras) for one, would follow Mr Vogel's example, and take immediate and forcible possession of the Customs at Hokitika, and hoped they would each secure some place for themselves. He wished, however, to say that in Otago's case there were about seventeen members to back them in the General Assembly, whereas "Westland only had two. The Chairman then read to the meeting the several clauses in the resolution, and each Saving received a proposer and seconder, was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks having teen accorded to the Chairman, and ihree cheers for Mr Carreras, the nieetiug terminated.